It's a Good Day

Dear Erin,

When I was a sophomore in high school I came across this song:

I would not call it groundbreaking or challenging or particularly profound, but at the time it had a huge influence on my life. Particularly the line at 2:05:

We are all as happy as we make our minds up to be.  

I have just decided nothing's gonna take this joy from me. 

That concept blew my mind. "You can decide to be happy? I've been wasting so much time!"

I think the thing that many people don't realize is the thing you hit right on the head in your last post: happiness takes WORK. You must pursue it, knock it down, and drag it into submission. As Ze Frank puts it, you've gotta "chase that happy."

I suppose I'm using the concepts of happiness and contentment interchangeably here, but that's not appropriate. They are, after all, two very different things. And then there's a third concept: joy. When Paul describes the fruits of the spirit in Galatians he lists "joy" as the second. Not happiness, not contentment, but joy. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on the difference in meaning between the three words. I'm not quite sure myself.

There's this book I've been meaning to read called Stumbling On Happiness. It's been sitting on my shelf for a while but I just haven't gotten into it. Would you be at all interested in reading it with me? We could make it a bit of a blog project, maybe sharing what we've learned from each chapter each week. If you are interested let me know!

Where does the idea that 25 is old come from? I say that because I've heard it from many sources and it baffles me. I feel so inexcusably, irreparably young. My well of experience is so shallow I feel I have nothing to draw on when it comes to making decisions. Perhaps that is a good thing. It forces me to rely on God's wisdom and not my own. And yet I'm still envious when those my age and younger are so able to make confident and well thought-out decisions while I'm left feeling overwhelmed and confused. I crave wisdom and worry age is the only thing that will bring it.

After writing that last paragraph I searched for Bible verses on wisdom. I generally don't like to pick verses out without context, but this one really hit me:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. -James 1:5

Well. I guess that shuts me up.

Thank you for the music recommendation! I have come across Andrew Peterson from time to time in my searches but have never looked at him too closely. I will have to remedy that!

I hope life is well for you, my dear.

Love always,

Amy